were silverplate art nouveau repoussé jewelry pieces ever made?

Question

i'm considering the purchase of an art nouveau jewelry item. both the chain & repoussé pendant are unmarked but are said to "test positive for sterling". three questions:
• does silverplate test positive for sterling?
• was silverplating being done during the art nouveau era?
• it is possible for a item from the art nouveau period to be not marked silver even though it truly is?

thanks for any informed answers!

Answer 1

Hi! If it's art nouveau,,, where is it from? The French have been marking silver since 1798. They can be very clever about secreting the marks but the marks must be there as well silverplate marks which are in a rectangle as opposed to the diamond shape. Numeral indicates silverplate thickness. The British, German and American are also stringent with their markings and most certainly by the time art nouveau took hold. And yes, the piece can be silverplate. Also, if something is plated heavily enough it may test as silver but there are tests to verify the difference. And yes, anything is possible. If the clasp was the only part marked and the clasp was replaced.. so goes the evidence. Silver is silver.. all through and through. If they don't wish to apply chemicals to test it, let them do a scratch test in an inconspicuous place to determine how dense the plating is... or isn't. If they are selling it, the onus is on them to be reliable and provide you with proof. The words silver or sterling silver describe an American product that contains 92.5% silver. Silver products sometimes may be marked 925 which means that 925 parts per thousand are pure silver. Some jewelry may be described as silverplate: a layer of silver is bonded to a base metal. The mark coin silver is used for compounds that contain 90% silver. According to the law, quality-marked silver also must bear the name or a U.S. registered trademark of the company or person that will stand behind the mark. I would ask them for some means of proof (and put it in writing) or ask if you may take it somewhere independently for verification, I don't know how much they are asking for the necklace or if you want to go that route but it would offer you piece of mind.
http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_marks.html
http://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks.html
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/products/jewelry.shtm
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/rubylane-sold/item/166833x20082706-2
http://cgi.ebay.com/SWEET-ROMANCE-Jeweled-Silverplate-Art-Nouveau-Necklace_W0QQitemZ330016331940QQihZ014QQcategoryZ92841QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem